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Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Anger, Irritation, and Stubborn Contrariety!

Anger, Irritation, and Stubborn Contrariety!

Evil and ill-will is the mental hindrance, which is resisting against andopposing phenomena. It can be quite violent when manifesting as quarrels,conflict, hate, hostility and war. Aversion instantly destroys all harmonyand peace and thus any potential for happiness. It can only be cured bymeditation on the four infinitely divine states (Brahma-viharas).

First priority: Noticing evil Ill-Will arise -in itself- makes it fade away:The Buddha said: When ill-will is present in him then he understands:"There is ill-will in me now" and when ill-will is absent, he also notices:"There is no ill-will in me now". He understands how unarisen ill-will arises.He understands how to leave behind any arisen ill-will, and he understandshow left ill-will will not ever arise again in the future. MN 10

What is the feeding cause that makes ill-will arise?There are displeasing and repulsive features and aspects of any object,frequently giving irrational & unwise attention to them, this is the feedingcause of the arising of unarisen ill-will, and the feeding cause of the veryincrease and expansion of ill-will that already has arisen. SN 46:51

The 3 paranoid thoughts that induces resentment:1: He or she has done, is doing or will in the future do me some wrong!2: He or she has done, is doing or will do those I like some wrong!3: He or she has done, is doing or will do those I dislike some good!

What is the starving cause that makes ill-will cease?There is the release of mind through Universal Good-Will and Friendliness,frequently giving rational and wise attention to this is the starving causeof the non-arising of unarisen ill-will, and the starving cause of decreaseand shrinking of ill-will that already has arisen. SN 46:51

Which medicine cures ill-will, so that it does not re-arise ever again?One should cultivate the meditation on Universal Friendliness(Mettā)! For the meditation on universal friendliness gradually evaporates ill-will.One should cultivate the meditation on All-embracing Pity(Karunā)! Meditation on embracing pity, makes cruel harming violence fade away.One should cultivate the meditation on Sympathetic Mutual Joy(Muditā)!Meditation on mutual joy eliminates discontent, green envy and jealousy.One should cultivate the meditation on composed Equanimity(Upekkhā)! Meditation on imperturbable equanimity can make anger & aversion cease.MN 62

Some advantageous reflections to return to:Remember the Simile of the Saw... The Blessed Buddha once said:Friends, even if bandits were to cut you up, savagely, limb by limb, with atwo-handled saw, you should not be angry with them but do my bidding:Remain pervading them with a friendly mentality imbued only with an allembracing good will, kind, rich, expansive, and immeasurable. Free fromhostility, free from ill will. Always remembering this Simile of the Sawis indeed how you should train yourselves... MN 21

Being OWNER of ANGER is Pain: Know that everyone is the owner of theconsequences of all their actions (Kamma), whether good or bad...

The 11 advantages won by cultivating Universal Friendliness (Mettā):1: One sleeps happy!2: One wakes happy!3: One dreams no evil dreams!4: One is liked and loved by all human beings!5: One is liked and loved by all non-human beings too!6: One is guarded and protected by the divine devas!7: One cannot be harmed by fire, poison or weapons!8: One swiftly attains the concentration of absorption!9: Ones appearance becomes serene, calm and composed!10: One dies without confusion, bewilderment or panic!11: One reappears after death on the Brahma level if gone no higher!AN V 342